‘Historic’ series win a distant memory

Bangladesh created history when they clinched their first-ever series win over Australia last August at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

That 'historic' T20 series win could have been a great inspiration for the Tigers in their search for positives from the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. But unfortunately, there was hardly anyone in the team who would dare to seek inspiration from that success when their 'winning tonic', alchemised on questionable pitches, backfired.

With four losses in as many games in the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup, Bangladesh are not only out of the tournament but their confidence has also hit a nadir. It will not be an easy task for the Tigers to sign off on their forlorn journey with a win today when they take on a full-strength Australia as opposed to the opponents they had faced in Mirpur.

Australia spinner Ashton Agar also made that clear at the pre-match press conference yesterday. "We have a very different looking side [to the one played in Bangladesh], and the wickets certainly aren't playing like those pitches that we played on over there," Agar said.

"To be fair, Bangladesh played in those conditions incredibly well and we weren't surprised. But it is very different now. We have a very different-looking side and the wickets certainly aren't playing like those conditions that we played over there."

The Aaron Finch-led side were looking a formidable unit until England blew the archrivals away, exposing their vulnerabilities.

Australia, who have never won the T20 World Cup, have so far defeated South Africa by five wickets and Sri Lanka by seven wickets.

Their high-profile pace attack comprising Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc was put to sword by Jos Buttler but they will be expected to return to their efficient ways against Bangladesh.

The big question is whether a demoralised Bangladesh batting line-up can handle this top-class bowling unit when their batting has let them down throughout the tournament?

With England effectively assured of their semifinal place with four wins from four games in Group 1, Australia and South Africa are scrambling over the last spot.

At the moment, the Proteas have six points from four games while Australia are on four points from three matches. However, after an eight-wicket mauling by England in their last match after being dismissed for 125, Aaron Finch's team took a hit on their run-rate which will be the tiebreaker should they finish level on points with South Africa.

So Australia will look to even up their points and runs when they face a hapless Bangladesh side.  "We go into every game thinking that you have to win. It's something that helps you move on from the England game," said Agar. Without doubt, Bangladesh need to make sure they go out all-guns-blazing if they want to prove Agar's observations regarding their Mirpur success wrong and spoil their party.